Some residents of Anum Apapam in the Ayensuano District say they have turned to illegal mining due to a lack of job opportunities. They made this known when the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) visited the area to assess the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies and land.
Residents told Happy News that illegal miners often arrive under the guise of legal operations. According to them, these individuals claim they are acquiring land for official mining purposes. However, once they secure the land, they begin illegal mining activities.
The locals expressed deep concern about the ongoing destruction of their environment. They said illegal mining has severely damaged their land and polluted water sources, leaving their community worse off.
They appealed to authorities to create sustainable jobs and intervene to stop the illegal activities that continue to threaten their future.